Prakarana 14

Verse 266 (चौपाई)

काम कोह मद मान न मोहा। लोभ न छोभ न राग न द्रोहा।। जिन्ह कें कपट दंभ नहिं माया। तिन्ह कें हृदय बसहु रघुराया।। सब के प्रिय सब के हितकारी। दुख सुख सरिस प्रसंसा गारी।। कहहिं सत्य प्रिय बचन बिचारी। जागत सोवत सरन तुम्हारी।। तुम्हहि छाड़ि गति दूसरि नाहीं। राम बसहु तिन्ह के मन माहीं।। जननी सम जानहिं परनारी। धनु पराव बिष तें बिष भारी।। जे हरषहिं पर संपति देखी। दुखित होहिं पर बिपति बिसेषी।। जिन्हहि राम तुम्ह प्रानपिआरे। तिन्ह के मन सुभ सदन तुम्हारे।।

In whom there is no lust, no anger, no pride, no vanity, no delusion, no greed, no fear, no attachment, no enmity, in whose hearts there is no deceit, no hypocrisy, no illusion, in their hearts abide, O Lord of the Raghus.

Verse 267 (दोहा/सोरठा)

स्वामि सखा पितु मातु गुर जिन्ह के सब तुम्ह तात। मन मंदिर तिन्ह कें बसहु सीय सहित दोउ भ्रात।।130।।

In whose eyes master, friend, father, mother, and guru are all you alone, O Lord, in the temple of their hearts may you both abide, Sita and your brother.

Verse 268 (चौपाई)

अवगुन तजि सब के गुन गहहीं। बिप्र धेनु हित संकट सहहीं।। नीति निपुन जिन्ह कइ जग लीका। घर तुम्हार तिन्ह कर मनु नीका।। गुन तुम्हार समुझइ निज दोसा। जेहि सब भाँति तुम्हार भरोसा।। राम भगत प्रिय लागहिं जेही। तेहि उर बसहु सहित बैदेही।। जाति पाँति धनु धरम बड़ाई। प्रिय परिवार सदन सुखदाई।। सब तजि तुम्हहि रहइ उर लाई। तेहि के हृदयँ रहहु रघुराई।। सरगु नरकु अपबरगु समाना। जहँ तहँ देख धरें धनु बाना।। करम बचन मन राउर चेरा। राम करहु तेहि कें उर डेरा।।

Who set aside others' faults and hold to their virtues, who endure hardship for the sake of a Brahmin, a cow, or the good, who are skilled in policy and walk the world's path, whose hearts are ever set on your home, O Lord, who take your virtues upon themselves and count their own as nothing, who in every way place their trust in you.

Verse 269 (दोहा/सोरठा)

जाहि न चाहिअ कबहुँ कछु तुम्ह सन सहज सनेहु। बसहु निरंतर तासु मन सो राउर निज गेहु।।131।।

Who never desire anything from you, but love you with a natural and spontaneous affection, in their hearts may you ever abide, making your own home there.

Verse 270 (चौपाई)

एहि बिधि मुनिबर भवन देखाए। बचन सप्रेम राम मन भाए।। कह मुनि सुनहु भानुकुलनायक। आश्रम कहउँ समय सुखदायक।। चित्रकूट गिरि करहु निवासू। तहँ तुम्हार सब भाँति सुपासू।। सैलु सुहावन कानन चारू। करि केहरि मृग बिहग बिहारू।। नदी पुनीत पुरान बखानी। अत्रिप्रिया निज तपबल आनी।। सुरसरि धार नाउँ मंदाकिनि। जो सब पातक पोतक डाकिनि।। अत्रि आदि मुनिबर बहु बसहीं। करहिं जोग जप तप तन कसहीं।। चलहु सफल श्रम सब कर करहू। राम देहु गौरव गिरिबरहू।।

In this manner the sage showed them his dwelling; his words were full of love and pleased Rama's heart. The sage said, "Listen, O Lord of the Solar race; I shall tell you of a hermitage fair to dwell in at this season. Make your abode on Chitrakuta Hill; there all shall be well with you in every way. The mountain is lovely, the forest charming, abounding in elephants, lions, deer and birds at play. The river is holy, as the ancient scriptures declare; Atri's beloved brought it here by the power of his penance. Its stream bears the name Mandakini, which destroys all sins and impurities. Atri and other great sages dwell there in numbers, practicing yoga, japa and austerities that discipline the body. Come, let all your efforts be fulfilled; O Rama, do honor to this noble mountain."

Verse 271 (दोहा/सोरठा)

चित्रकूट महिमा अमित कहीं महामुनि गाइ। आए नहाए सरित बर सिय समेत दोउ भाइ।।132।।

The great sage sang the boundless glory of Chitrakuta. They came and bathed in the excellent river, Sita and the two brothers together.

Verse 272 (चौपाई)

रघुबर कहेउ लखन भल घाटू। करहु कतहुँ अब ठाहर ठाटू।। लखन दीख पय उतर करारा। चहुँ दिसि फिरेउ धनुष जिमि नारा।। नदी पनच सर सम दम दाना। सकल कलुष कलि साउज नाना।। चित्रकूट जनु अचल अहेरी। चुकइ न घात मार मुठभेरी।। अस कहि लखन ठाउँ देखरावा। थलु बिलोकि रघुबर सुखु पावा।। रमेउ राम मनु देवन्ह जाना। चले सहित सुर थपति प्रधाना।। कोल किरात बेष सब आए। रचे परन तृन सदन सुहाए।। बरनि न जाहि मंजु दुइ साला। एक ललित लघु एक बिसाला।।

Rama said to Lakshmana, "This is a good landing place; let us settle somewhere here in comfort." Lakshmana looked about and chose a fine spot; he ranged in all directions like a rainbow around a bow. The river, the pools, the shade of the trees, the water and the forest were all delightful, removing every stain of the Kali age. Chitrakuta seemed like a motionless hunter, never failing in its aim, striking down sorrow and suffering. So speaking, Lakshmana showed him the place; beholding the ground, Rama found contentment. Rama rejoiced in his heart; the gods knew it and departed, with the chief of the gods at their head. Kols and Kiratas in their guise all came; they built lovely leaf-thatched huts. One cannot describe the two beautiful halls; one was small and charming, the other spacious.

Verse 273 (दोहा/सोरठा)

लखन जानकी सहित प्रभु राजत रुचिर निकेत। सोह मदनु मुनि बेष जनु रति रितुराज समेत।।133।।

With Lakshmana and Janaki, the Lord shone in that lovely dwelling; he looked like Love himself in the guise of a sage, with Rati and the king of seasons beside him.

Verse 274 (चौपाई)

अमर नाग किंनर दिसिपाला। चित्रकूट आए तेहि काला।। राम प्रनामु कीन्ह सब काहू। मुदित देव लहि लोचन लाहू।। बरषि सुमन कह देव समाजू। नाथ सनाथ भए हम आजू।। करि बिनती दुख दुसह सुनाए। हरषित निज निज सदन सिधाए।। चित्रकूट रघुनंदनु छाए। समाचार सुनि सुनि मुनि आए।। आवत देखि मुदित मुनिबृंदा। कीन्ह दंडवत रघुकुल चंदा।। मुनि रघुबरहि लाइ उर लेहीं। सुफल होन हित आसिष देहीं।। सिय सौमित्र राम छबि देखहिं। साधन सकल सफल करि लेखहिं।।

Gods, Nagas, Kinnaras and guardians of the quarters came to Chitrakuta at that time. All made obeisance to Rama; the joyful gods received the treasure of his sight. Showering flowers, the assembly of gods said, "O Lord, today we have become blessed indeed." Having made their prayer and told of their unbearable sorrows, they returned joyfully to their own abodes. When Rama, the delight of the Raghus, settled on Chitrakuta, sages came hearing the news one after another. Seeing them approach, the company of sages rejoiced and made full prostration to the moon of the Raghu race. The sages clasped Rama to their hearts and gave blessings that all their endeavors should bear fruit. Beholding the beauty of Sita, Lakshmana and Rama, they counted all their spiritual practices as fulfilled.

Verse 275 (दोहा/सोरठा)

जथाजोग सनमानि प्रभु बिदा किए मुनिबृंद। करहि जोग जप जाग तप निज आश्रमन्हि सुछंद।।134।।

The Lord duly honored the assembly of sages and took leave of them. They returned to their own hermitages, happy at heart, to practice yoga, japa, vigil and austerity.

Verse 276 (चौपाई)

यह सुधि कोल किरातन्ह पाई। हरषे जनु नव निधि घर आई।। कंद मूल फल भरि भरि दोना। चले रंक जनु लूटन सोना।। तिन्ह महँ जिन्ह देखे दोउ भ्राता। अपर तिन्हहि पूँछहि मगु जाता।। कहत सुनत रघुबीर निकाई। आइ सबन्हि देखे रघुराई।। करहिं जोहारु भेंट धरि आगे। प्रभुहि बिलोकहिं अति अनुरागे।। चित्र लिखे जनु जहँ तहँ ठाढ़े। पुलक सरीर नयन जल बाढ़े।। राम सनेह मगन सब जाने। कहि प्रिय बचन सकल सनमाने।। प्रभुहि जोहारि बहोरि बहोरी। बचन बिनीत कहहिं कर जोरी।।

The Kol and Kirata tribes received this news, and they rejoiced as if a new treasure had come to their home. Filling their baskets with roots, fruits and bulbs, they set forth like poor men to gather gold. Among them, those who saw the two brothers asked them the way as they went along. Hearing and speaking of the Lord of the Raghus, they came and all beheld Rama. They joined their palms in salutation and bowed before him; they gazed upon the Lord with deep love. They stood motionless here and there like painted figures; their bodies thrilled with joy and tears filled their eyes. All were absorbed in love for Rama; he spoke gracious words and honored them all. Again and again they saluted the Lord, and with folded hands spoke humble words.

Verse 277 (दोहा/सोरठा)

अब हम नाथ सनाथ सब भए देखि प्रभु पाय। भाग हमारे आगमनु राउर कोसलराय।।135।।

Now, O Lord, we have all found a master by beholding your feet. Our coming here, O King of Kosala, has proved most fortunate.

Verse 278 (चौपाई)

धन्य भूमि बन पंथ पहारा। जहँ जहँ नाथ पाउ तुम्ह धारा।। धन्य बिहग मृग काननचारी। सफल जनम भए तुम्हहि निहारी।। हम सब धन्य सहित परिवारा। दीख दरसु भरि नयन तुम्हारा।। कीन्ह बासु भल ठाउँ बिचारी। इहाँ सकल रितु रहब सुखारी।। हम सब भाँति करब सेवकाई। करि केहरि अहि बाघ बराई।। बन बेहड़ गिरि कंदर खोहा। सब हमार प्रभु पग पग जोहा।। तहँ तहँ तुम्हहि अहेर खेलाउब। सर निरझर जलठाउँ देखाउब।। हम सेवक परिवार समेता। नाथ न सकुचब आयसु देता।।

Blessed is the earth, the forest path and the mountain, wherever you have set your feet, O Lord. Blessed are the birds and the deer that roam the woods; their birth is fulfilled by beholding you. We are all blessed, together with our families, having seen your form and filled our eyes with the sight. We have found a good dwelling place after due consideration; here we shall remain content in every season. We shall serve you in every way, making lions, serpents and tigers our prey. The forest, the thickets, the mountains and the caves are all ours; we salute your feet at every step, O Lord. There and there we shall take you hunting; we shall show you lakes, waterfalls and watering places. We are your servants with all our family; O Lord, do not hesitate to give us your commands.

Verse 279 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बेद बचन मुनि मन अगम ते प्रभु करुना ऐन। बचन किरातन्ह के सुनत जिमि पितु बालक बैन।।136।।

The Lord’s compassion is the very essence of the Vedas’ words, unattainable even to the sages’ minds. Listening to the words of the Kiratas, he was pleased, like a father hearing his child speak.

Verse 280 (चौपाई)

रामहि केवल प्रेमु पिआरा। जानि लेउ जो जाननिहारा।। राम सकल बनचर तब तोषे। कहि मृदु बचन प्रेम परिपोषे।। बिदा किए सिर नाइ सिधाए। प्रभु गुन कहत सुनत घर आए।। एहि बिधि सिय समेत दोउ भाई। बसहिं बिपिन सुर मुनि सुखदाई।। जब ते आइ रहे रघुनायकु। तब तें भयउ बनु मंगलदायकु।। फूलहिं फलहिं बिटप बिधि नाना।।मंजु बलित बर बेलि बिताना।। सुरतरु सरिस सुभायँ सुहाए। मनहुँ बिबुध बन परिहरि आए।। गंज मंजुतर मधुकर श्रेनी। त्रिबिध बयारि बहइ सुख देनी।।

Know that Rama is dear only to love; let those who know this take it to heart. Then Rama pleased all the dwellers of the forest, speaking gentle words and nurturing them with love. He took leave, bowed his head, and departed; chanting and hearing the Lord's virtues, he came home. In this manner, the two brothers, together with Sita, dwell in the forest, bringing joy to the gods and sages. From the time the Lord of the Raghus came and remained there, the forest became a bringer of auspiciousness. Trees blossom and bear fruit in many wondrous ways; beautiful creepers spread their lovely canopies. The celestial trees are lovely by their very nature, as if the gods had come forth leaving their own groves. Grove upon grove, more lovely than the rest, with rows of bees; three kinds of breezes blow, bringing comfort.

Verse 281 (दोहा/सोरठा)

नीलकंठ कलकंठ सुक चातक चक्क चकोर। भाँति भाँति बोलहिं बिहग श्रवन सुखद चित चोर।।137।।

The blue-throated one, the kalakantha, the parrot, the chataka, the chakwa, and the chakora; in many ways the birds sing, bringing joy to the ear and stealing the heart.

Verse 282 (चौपाई)

केरि केहरि कपि कोल कुरंगा। बिगतबैर बिचरहिं सब संगा।। फिरत अहेर राम छबि देखी। होहिं मुदित मृगबंद बिसेषी।। बिबुध बिपिन जहँ लगि जग माहीं। देखि राम बनु सकल सिहाहीं।। सुरसरि सरसइ दिनकर कन्या। मेकलसुता गोदावरि धन्या।। सब सर सिंधु नदी नद नाना। मंदाकिनि कर करहिं बखाना।। उदय अस्त गिरि अरु कैलासू। मंदर मेरु सकल सुरबासू।। सैल हिमाचल आदिक जेते। चित्रकूट जसु गावहिं तेते।। बिंधि मुदित मन सुखु न समाई। श्रम बिनु बिपुल बड़ाई पाई।।

Peacocks, tigers, monkeys, boars, and deer, free from enmity, all wander together. As they roam and behold Rama's beauty, the herds of deer become especially joyful. Wherever there is a divine forest in the world, upon seeing Rama, all are gladdened. The Ganga, the Yamuna, the daughter of the Sun, the daughter of Mount Meru, and the Godavari are blessed. All lakes, oceans, rivers, and streams of various kinds extol the Mandakini. The mountains of sunrise and sunset, Kailasa, Mandara, Meru, and all the abodes of the gods; The Himalayas and all other mountains sing the glory of Chitrakoot. Vidhi, with a delighted heart and joy that knows no bounds, obtained great glory without effort.

Verse 283 (दोहा/सोरठा)

चित्रकूट के बिहग मृग बेलि बिटप तृन जाति। पुन्य पुंज सब धन्य अस कहहिं देव दिन राति।।138।।

The birds, deer, creepers, trees, and grasses of Chitrakoot, all say day and night: a heap of merit, all are blessed indeed.

Verse 284 (चौपाई)

नयनवंत रघुबरहि बिलोकी। पाइ जनम फल होहिं बिसोकी।। परसि चरन रज अचर सुखारी। भए परम पद के अधिकारी।। सो बनु सैलु सुभायँ सुहावन। मंगलमय अति पावन पावन।। महिमा कहिअ कवनि बिधि तासू। सुखसागर जहँ कीन्ह निवासू।। पय पयोधि तजि अवध बिहाई। जहँ सिय लखनु रामु रहे आई।। कहि न सकहिं सुषमा जसि कानन। जौं सत सहस होंहिं सहसानन।। सो मैं बरनि कहौं बिधि केहीं। डाबर कमठ कि मंदर लेहीं।। सेवहिं लखनु करम मन बानी। जाइ न सीलु सनेहु बखानी।।

Those who have eyes, upon beholding the best of the Raghus, attain the fruit of birth and become free from sorrow. Touching the dust of his feet, the immovables find joy; they become entitled to the supreme state. That forest and mountain is lovely by nature, filled with auspiciousness, most sacred of the sacred. How can one describe its glory? There the Ocean of Bliss made his dwelling. Leaving Ayodhya and forsaking the ocean of milk, where Sita, Lakshmana, and Rama came to dwell. The beauty of that forest cannot be told, even if there were a thousand four-faced ones. How then can I describe it? Whether I take up a tortoise or Mount Mandara. Lakshmana serves him with body, mind, and speech; his character and love cannot be described.

Verse 285 (दोहा/सोरठा)

-छिनु छिनु लखि सिय राम पद जानि आपु पर नेहु। करत न सपनेहुँ लखनु चितु बंधु मातु पितु गेहु।।139।।

Every moment she gazed upon Sita and Rama’s feet, knowing her love for them as her very own; Lakshmana never gave a thought, even in dream, to his own self, his heart, his parents, or his home.